Pump



' March 26, 1940.V H, E. ADAMS .9 K. 2,195,375 Y A'PUMP n Filed Dec. so, 1955 Y 4 sneetsshet 2 2 Marcil 2.6, 940. E. ADMS A A A2,195,375

rMarchzs, 1940. v HE. ADAMS' l 2,195,375

y PUMP Filed Dec. 30.719155 4 sheets-sheet 4 Patented Mar. 26, 1940 Harold E. Adams, South Norwa Genn., assigner `to `Nash Engineering Company, SouthNorwalk,

Conn.,` a corporation o! Connecticut Applicaties December so,V 19?5, serial No. 56,813

26 claims. -(ci, 23o-79) This invention relates to pumps yorIk compres`' sors and more particularly to hydro-turbine pumpsof the type employing a rotating, water or other liquid ring as aV pumping 4or displace- 5 ment medium.

The well known Nash type vof compressor is a good-illustration lof the structure .to which this .invention is applicable. More specifically,A the invention relates to improvements and devel- 0 opments in pump structures as describedin the patents toAdams No. 1,847,548 and No. 1,847,586r

of' March l, 1932, wherein'a circular rotor'o'pcrates within an eccentric casing, and cooper.

ates with a pair of tapered or conical port mem- 15 -bers extending into opposite sidepo'rtions oithe The invention herein is not limited specifically to thisvtype 0f pump, as it may be applied to earlier types of Nash pump, provided with ports 20 'opening directly out of the side members ofthe rotor to the pumpl casing. In fact, the pump described herein is constructed with' but one conical port member, rather than two, as disclosed in said patents. 5 #Pumps of this nature `have been found .very sat-.- isfactory in the `handling of air and gas, alsoin .the handling of the combination' of light and dense fluids such as a 'gasand a` liquid. y Y In order to prevent the rotor from binding, it is necessary to have a running clearance ybetween parts, andeven with the greatest accuracy of manufacture, this 'clearance is enough to result in leakage` from high pressure regions adjacent the discharge from the pump, backlintolow pre' sure regions adjacent the inlet. the leakage of air or gas being of course many times greater than the leakage of a'- denser medium.

Accordingly, it is' an important object of the present invention to seal these points at which leakage may occur.

It is another object to sealthese points by the use of liquid such as is used in the` make-up of the fluid piston ofthe pump. f

plenish same during normal operations, simultaneously with lthe sealing .ele'ct.

Other yobjects include, the provision of sealing means and methods which permit continuous ing is provided to 'con'ne the rotating. ,liquid ring within its operating channels, and to more Fig.2 is av fibers thereof; f Fig. 6y is a sectional ser shown in Figs. 1 to 5, illustrating the rela- 'otherpincipal features of the compressor;

A still further object isto reduce leakage of the operating liquid, or iiuid piston', and Ato re- Y emcient operation, regardless of wear voccasioneszl by the handling of gritty material or by corroeffectively direct the sealingiiquid, to the portions o1' the'pump where leakage ofthe gas or liquid might occur between high and low'pres'- sure regions. This invention also Kprovides more effective utilization of the liquid seal by various direct and indirect methodsof recirculation, than heretoforeavailable. 'j

To the attainment ofthe foregoing and. other objects which will appear, reference may be made to-the accompanying'sheets of drawings,'show 'A Fig, l is a vertical .cross section of the :coinpressor, taken through the inlet and vwaterxseal chambers, illustrating kone method of directing the water seal;

a variation in the method of'di'recting the water seal; f

Fig. 3 is a similar cross section illustrating another variation; f

Fig. i is a similar v'cross section illustrating a. still different variation; v. u

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross section'of the compressor taken'through' the'discharge chamend view of ythev comprestive positioning of thev inlet andoutlet ports and Figg 7 is aside elevation showing` the' compressor assemblyfand illustrating a separatorfin section, and connectionsfor recirculation ofthe sealing liquid; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail in section illustrating a variation in the sealing arrangement 8l! from that of the earlier gures. Y

In the operation of compressors or pumps of this nature, the rotor of the pump operates in a liquid ring vwithin an eccentrically shaped casing. The path ofthe liquid ringL during its rotation, is' constrained by .the outer casing, and

because of the eccentricy shape ofthe casing, the liquid is caused rst to recede from the center ing certain` forms and modications of the in- 10 .vention, and in which:

similar v'crosssection, illustrating of the rotor, i. e., from the displacement buckf ets, which constitutes the suction stroke of the compressor, drawing in air, gas or other medium tor to perform' theY compression stroke. This action may 'take place severaltimes, depending upon the number of lobesin the pump. The illustrat'ed embodiment, discloses a two lobe ccnstruction, the lobes being separated by lands at the extremities oftheminor axis of-the casing. Between'the point wherethe casingapproaches the periphery of the rotor, i.' e., a land, and the point where :it 'recedesfrom the rotor, there is built up a diierentialin pressure' somewhat `whichA is to be handledzby the pump.. Therev l sov greater than the pressure diierential between the inlet to the pump and its outlet, as built up by the compressor at its final discharge connection.

If there is leakage between the low pressure and high ypressure regions, there willbe a corresponding loss in eiiciency. 'Ihis leakage may occur at a number of points, and as stated, `it is a primary object of this invention to prevent such leakage and permit the building up of a higher pressure differential than heretofore thought possible in a pump of this nature..

Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, it will be seen that the pump comprises generally a stator I Ii including an eccentric body or lobe casing II, which functions as the pumping chamber, a head I2 therefor and a tapered hubor cone I3, which projects into the casing II. The-casing II has enlarged portions or lobes I4 and I6, separated by lands IG-Ii at opposite sides of the casing.

Although but two lobes are illustrated, it will beobvious that theinvention is applicable to pump casings having any desired number of lobes.

A driving shaft, I1 is provided with a stuiiing( box I3 in head I2, and in theconstruction shown is supported by bearings in motor M, Fig. 5. The frame l2 is provided with supporting arms I3, by means of which the pump is secured to a driving motor M, Fig. 5. The shaft I1 extends axially through the hub or cone I3, and serves to drive the rotor 2l. Inasmu'ch as the hub is. taperedror cone shaped, and-the rotor is similarly shaped to mate therewith, it will be evident that adjustl ment for wear can be readily eifected by adjustment of the bearings in the motor M which support the shaft I1. The rotor is generally cylin- 'drical in cross section and isl provided with a number of peripheral buckets or displacement chambers 23, formed by radial varies or blades 24, the outer edges of which are forwardly curved to facilitate circulation of the operating liquid into and out of the buckets. The blades may not be limited to this form but may be formed with different curvature than that shown, or may even have straight radial blades, according to the particular4 requirements of the service for which the pump is designed. In the preferred construction the blades 24 will be connected by shrouds 25 and 25a. y

The inwardly extending tapered hub portion I3 with which the rotor cooperates, is constructed to form inlet and discharge passages for the pump, the displacement chambers or buckets 23 being suitably ported at their bases for 'cooperation therewith.

The inlet passage 26 connected to the pump inlet 21, is suitably ported at 28 for cooperation with the ported bottoms of the'rotor buckets, and the outlet or discharge passage 28 is similarly ported at 30, yand connected to the discharge outlet 3l.

At the two landslG, the displacement chambers 23 are filled with the operating liquid. As the rotor advances, the liquid is not only turned by the rotor, but also is thrown out into the lobe by centrifugal force, and the air, gas or other medium being handled, is drawn in through the ports 28. Upon further advancement, the shape of the casing forces the operating liquid back into the displacement chambers, and `'this liquid in each bucket or chamber compresses and forces such medium out through the discharge ports 30.

As shown, in Fig.-6, the rotation of the compressor is clockwise, andthe points at which the operating liquid `starts to recede from the rotor is indicated at 32. The points at which the water i is nally crowded back into the rotor buckets by the converging of the casing is indicated at 33. The lands I6, are extremities of the shortest axis of the elliptical casing, and the differential in pressure above referred to occurs as ,a maximum vbetween the low pressure area 32 and the high tials than heretofore thought possible with this' type of compressor.

Heretofore the importance of the prevention of uncontrolled leakage from the areas 33yto the areas 32 has not been recognized as the principal limiting factor in the application of this compressor to high pressure service. 'Ihe pressure possibilities inl the prior art were recognized as not exceeding twenty or thirty pounds gage with reasonable emciency. By the application of the present invention, the`pressure range of this type of compressor maybe extended without difliculty to one hundred pounds gage. v

` The principal source of leakage from the high pressure area 33, to the low pressure 'area 32 occurs around the periphery of the shrouds -2 5-254, at the points 34-3la and to offset this, liquid under pressure is directed 'to the leaks as a means of building up a counteracting `sealing pressure on the-opposite side.

There are also points at which leakage of the air or gas being compressed is likely to occur, these.points being between the regions of high and low pressure around the conical vported hub adjacent the ports in the bottom of each rotor bucket. To prevent excessive leakage at these -points, sealing lsurfaces 33, 31, 33 and 39 are provided, .all of which are adequately supplied with sealing liquid to ll the clearance spaces at these points. The seal is under greater pressure than that causing the leak, and hence tends to leak inwardly, thus preventing the outward leakage of volatile air or gas, it being well recognized that a liquid such as water will not leak as readily as a less dense medium, such as air, and hence the introduction of a sealing liquid under suitable pressure is veryefiectiver The provision for4 sealing the surfaces around the cone or hub is in some respects similar to that described in the aforesaid patent, No. 1,847,586, but the manner in which the liquid seal is delivered to these sealing surfaces, as well as the peripheral seals previously' discussed, distinguishes this invention from that referred to in said patent.

The compressor requires an initial priming with sufficient liquidr to form `a yfluid piston or operating ring effective to give the pumping or compressing action. The initial supply of liquid absorbs the heat of compression, but in order to maintain Vcontinuous operation of the compressor, it is necessary to `maintain a' continuous circulation of liquid through the compressor for cooling purposes. In addition to the cooling liquid required to remove heat of compression, an additional quantity of liquid should be circulated through the compressor to take care of leakage past the sealing surfaces previously rer isl 2,105,375 ferrea to. 'me iwiitiiabiiity` or suitable @0113s. and sealing liquid, togetherwith the pressure'at which it can be supplied, varies wldelywith different installations, and hence variousmodica tions representing typical installations designed to accommodate variousv conditions that may be' met in the eld withrespectto water-supply, are K y.

f k"*plyuizeed at a illustrated.

' Fig..1 illustrates a typical arrangement' wherein an-` abundant supply of liquid for'sealiiigtpurf-l posesVat' suillcient pressuregds available. The head portiony i2'of the stator yis formed w'itha sealing liquid chamber 43 tapped at v44 to per-V 'Y mit ingress of sealing 1iquid,nwhich being, sup-l plied under pressureffurnishescooling and makef up liquid directly into the displacement chambers of the rotor through ports 45 which estab-v lish direct communicationbetween the vchamber 4l fand the inlet' .passage-25'; vT'his incoming liquid also seals thesurfaces 3l and ,{as well as'vsupplying a seal around. the driving shaft, Il' and's'tumng box Ilg* .y A second sealing chamber 45 :is provided in the head l2, and separatediromv the chamber 43 by a. ported web 411.7A valve 45 `controls the port in the webf'41 to permit' sealing liquid to ilowv freely Vfrom thenehamber 43 into'the cham# -h'eld under pressure-'in this" annular space i58 seals the peripheral `poi nts l44 at one sideJofsthez.

rotor:

The iiquidseai iiitiieannuia'r space n attent v A r a l l .pointsadiacent the stuingfboxv i8.` f

Opposition topossible lleakage from the ,high pressurearea fofthe lobe atjllrthus preventing *y l orreducing leakage at thispoint, depending, upon whether the pressure in thejspa'ce' is greater or less than the outwardk pressure exerted at the pointu. :f: j

It .also provides leakage from the annular space 53 through the clearance at 'the point 34, Vat the ,point of low pressure l32.1Such inward leakage is not detrimental to the operationI of; the pump, but on the contrary may be beneficial.

The fluid under pressure lin. the annular space`r 53 also provides a seal for clearances between the `throughA a? port '54 into the Vannu-lar space 55 f .at the outer side ofthe rotor, surroundingthe tap 441s nally discharged from the compressor,

points 35 and'A 31, thus preventingjthe leakage between high. and low pressure areas around the cone. 'f AThe sealing liquid passing. lfram. chamber 5l toV chamberflisdelivered under pressure end-shroudISa and the hub-of therot'or.` yThe liquid under pressure thus delivered to theL annular kspace 55 supplies a `seal to theouter peripheral surfaces A34a .in a manner exactly similar to that delivered `to the corresponding sealing surfaces 34 vat the innervfside of the rotor. `Ari-y excess of liquid supplied through the -opening Acirtogether with'the compressed airv or otherma-` t-eriaiv handled by the pump,` through the -fdischarge passage 29 a,r1d..outlet4 connection: y13|.

The alrand 'liquid delivered` from .the ydischarge 3| may be delivered to a separator 56 as shown 'Y in Fig. 7, where the liquid is separated from the air and'discharged to lwaste, whilethfepir is delivered to .the point required for its use,

through the outlet 31a:

Wheresreater diiex'entialsy require'it, or where it is impractical to supply counterfacting sealingliquid at ,sufficient pressure, yajsealing joint'r at -v *they points j. 3443411 may ibejprcvidedgfby' addi'- vtionally utilizing'a labyrinth form"of sealing as u indicated at`35 (Fig. f' 'l .deScribed- Fig.j2 is illustrativerfoi avariation "in/fthe f handling of V-a waterseal wherej-the compressorisl ia n entials, and where .the sealing liquid v'is-fsupf-v lk 'plied at agrelatively.,lowpressuregflnthis ar-gy rangement,..t h'e.tap V44v isr removedl and' the opening plugged atf44; Av tap 5'! is substitutedA for the y plug- .51a andy 4.sealing liquid `delivered therethrough'. directlyl into "the:inlety passage 425, u

.it circulates iin' reverse ,order lf'from; that de'- is f 344-341',fronithehighpessure region 3,31, where f u "leaking through the peripheral clearances serves to. seal ,thejjcone surfaces; at points as" and i1,

` vpassing iritcfchambers5|Ifandz5lf'through.ports .,21antislgjandtiien e through' pm tgasitito the eriambertgu. Fronrgcnairiber 346. it :news past v:the -va1vey48 intothe .'chamberjfto supply additional 'liquid ,through-the ports 45 directlyv 1 to tite displacement chambers ofthe rotor.' This' liquid? freni chamber; 43 'also Serveslto `Seal ,the 1f f Fig, 3"`frepesents anapplication of ftheinven tion .where 'thev supply .'oi"v liquid Vis y limited, but yis .a'vauame' at' la pressure slig'htiyabo've that' of the compressor inlet' pressures. T e' liquid enters the Vtapped?opening k44 in ,a `,minar/i, e'r. similar to that describedin-iconnection with/' lig.l 1,"and is de-A` liveredl to the. displacement chambers of the rojtorfin'a manneuiexactly-the 'same as that de'- scribed in 1but1 instead of using' Vthis supply y yliquid istakenfromthe bottom of the separator at Slain Figs.1` and 2) into the 'sealingvr liquid .Vichamber 46. 'VIA'he valve.418" vlvillbeclosed` in'this instance. i "C: V Y The sealing l.liquid yrecirculatedfromL thejseparator. 56 vto thej 'chitnilzierl'46,;l delivered to the scribed in the' arrangement of Figi.'

' tap 44, and the `same amount is .drained tok wastel trolled by a float valve 63. The water* required -"'for,`sealing the` -clearance spaces lin the compressor is through thepipe line 59 under disn' charge pressures,"and regulatedy in amount 'by manipulation of 'the "valve T60. f lThe airl or y"gas handled by` the pump,'gpassesc Afrom the separator -under discharge pressures Athrough the outlet 31a. In Fig; i stillanother' method-visy disclosed, for

voixwater Vt'o .seal the `various points of leakage,

i 55y (Fig.` '1) which Vis.ippedgai;58i5or delivery j f through a pipe line 59 and'con'trol valve 50. The 'fjpipe linev 55 extends to a tap' 6i `(shown plugged.

Itlwiii'be noted-1n,this.erribodi'ment that .only i such liquid as is required. for removing` the heatv of compression vis delivered through the supply through-the separator `tirain 'sz which isycon- .5 .v

, where `the` supply is available opiyin limited.v

quantities andata pressure but slightly greater than that of the inletto the compressor, .In this arrangement, the liquid `required* for the removal of heatpf compression Ais delivered through the tap` 51 directlyinto the compressor inlet passage. where it mi'xeswith air or gas coming A in through'the 'compressor j inlet v2l The small amount of make-up duid introduced in this f manner is 'picked up. by; the air, and carried through the inletgports y2li` inthe cone, directly into the displacement chambers o f the roten-by the aspirating action of the air as it is' drawn through the suctionrv or inlet passages.

a is opened tolsupply additional liquid for delivery The liquidf required" `for sealing' thev Vclearance spaces :and Vfor accommodating other leakage losses in the' compressorfis 'obtained Jby recirculation from :the separator in `arnannery.similar to that described-dn fconnectionfwith Fig. 3, the

water being delivered tothe chamber 46. through the `tapi. In this case, however, the valve-48V throughthe ports l5 4directly `into,thedisplacement chambers of, `the rotonasfwell as vto supply ,liquid for sealingjthe smallend of thecone as circulated, as "described above, excess 'make-up water being discharged through the Vdrain 82 to,y

waste. f

The foregoing' methods arebut illustrative. and there are many variations in the manner in which liquid for cooling, make-(up purposes' and sealing can be delivered to the essential 4points inf-fthe. compressor. For example, chamber 64 maywbe provided,-in communication withthe bottom of thedlscharge passage 2,!y ci the compressor. valve 65 may likewise port between the chamberi liquid chamberfll. 1 y Y c A partial separation of the liquid from the air is obtained in the discharge passage '29, and this and the sealing liquid, gravitating to the bottomoi the passage,

. for this supply. u v 1 Asa further variation, this 'arrangement may valve built' into the structure.

drains into the chamber il. A sufficient supply oiwater for sealing purposes may be drawnrom the chamber 64 by properlyv controlling the valve B5, instead of resorting to an outside separator be ampline'd to include provision for complete separation of 'liquid and air, with the regulating' valve `6 5 plus an excess liquid, iioat` controlledy HavingVK thus described the K n invention the operation and advantages thereof will be readily apparent. l

Once the pump is in operation, thetendencies toward leakage both of gas or other material be# ing handled,

' set'by supplyinga Vsealing liquid; to thegpcints where such leakage mayoccur, andai; higher pressure than is presentiat such points.v

VInbrief this invention accomplishes.. three ina-. jor advantages, first minimization ci leakage,

uquid for thefiuid piston; and third, constant? cooling of the pump.

Having'thus describedfinve'ntion, what IV Va stator having y,and means tofintroduce a a' pressurediirerential between -let regions of the pump,' of beprvided to control aV4 and of `the operating liquidare oficlaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pat,-` entv o! the United States, is:` l

1. In a hydro-turbine pumpof the typev using liquid inits` pumpingaction, the combination with a-statorhaving an inlet passage andan `outlet passage, and'awrotor operable within `the stator having displacement chambers cooperative with f into said conduits forV iiowfto-said clearance j points. f .Y

2. Ina hydro-'turbine vpump-oil the type using liquid mits pumping action, `the combination 'with yan inlet passageV and an outlet passage, and a rotor` operable within 1the stator having displacement chambers cooperative vwith theL stator 'andthe-pumpingiliquid.to create a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet regionsnoi vthe pump, of means toseal the inlet region from the outlet region, adjacent peripheral points of4 the rotor,- comprising conduits within the stator extendingk to points of clearance between. the periphery of the rotoriand the stator, sealing liquid into said conduits under pressure at least as lgreatas said pressure differential, `for flow to said Vclearance .,points.

3. `In a hydro-turbinepump-oi the using outlet paSSVSefand a rotor operable withinthe the inlet and out'- means to confine vthe pumping Vliquidtwithin its operating channel and to direct sealing liquid `to `points of leakage bel `tween the inlet and outlet regions .adjacent peripheral points of the rotor comprising conduits within `the stator Vextending to points of clearance between the periphery of the rotor and the stator and to points of vinlet to the inlet region,

`stator having vdisplacement chambers cooperative with the stator and the pumping liquid to' create and means tolntroduce a sealing liquid into said conduits for flow totall oi saldtpoints,

4, In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid inf-its Apumping action, the. combination with a stator having an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and a rotor operable within the stator having displacement chambers cooperative with the stator and the-pumpingliquid to create a l pressure differential between the inlet and outlet regions of the pump.

said inlet and and outlet reclearance between the outlet passages," through the inlet gions, and past points of rotor and stator, adjacent-peripheral points of lthe rotor, regions against leakage, l

5.In a hydroturbine`pumpol the type using vliquid `in its `pumping action, the vcombination whereby to seal the inlet and outlet` with a statorV having an inletpassage and an outlet passage, and 'a rotor operable within the makingit possiblef., to greatly .increasebuilt up stator having displacement chambers cooperative with the stator and the Vpumping liquid to create a pressure diiferentialibetween the inlet and outlet regions ofthe pump. of means to introduce liquid to the interior `oi the pump comprising conduits withinthe stator extending'to the inlet and outlet regions` and to points of clearance beofmeans to circulate a portion of the'pumping liquid'through points ofthe rotor, whereby to seal the vinlet and' areas back `to the interior or the chamber, in opposition to pressures developed at the periphery o! the tween the stator and rotor, adjacent-peripheral outlet regions against' leakage, to makeup losses in pumping liquid and to lower the operating temperatures of the pump.

6. In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in its pumping action, the combination with a stator having anv inlet passage and an out- Y let passage, and a rotor operable Within the stator to the separator, back to the pump, comprising.

having displacement chambers cooperativewith the stator and the pumping liquid to create a pressurev differential between the -inlet and outletregions of the pump, of fa separator connected to the outlet passage, and means to recirculate liquid passing from theppump to the separator back to the interior of the pump, comprising conduits within the stator extending to the inlet and outlet regions and to points of clearance between -the stator and rotor, adjacent peripheral points of the rotor, whereby to seal the inlet and outlet regions against leakage, to make up losses in pumping liquid and to lower the operating temperatures of the pump.'

7, .The combination with a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in itspumping action, and a .separator connected to the outlet thereof, of means to recirculate liquid passing from the pump conduits within the stator extending tothe inlet and outlet regions and to:l points of clearance between 4the stator and rotor of the pump, adjacent peripheral points of the rotor, whereby to seal the inletV and outlet Legions against leakage, and means to introduce additional liquid to the inlet of the pump to make up losses in pumping liquid andfto lower the operating temperatures of the Dump.

8. In ahydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in its pumping action, a stator provided with passages for the'reception oi' sealing liquid, and having means in communication with points of leakage between the inlet and outlet regions of the pump, means to introduce sealing liquid to said' passages, and valve means ,to control the direction of flow oi said'sealing liquid through said passages.

y9. In ia hydro-turbine pump' oi' the type using liquid in its .pumping action, a stator provided with passages for the reception of sealing liquid, v a tapered hub within 'the stator, a rotor cooperanv tive with said hub, means establishing communication between saidfpassages-and running clearv ances between said rotor and hub, and between said passages and running clearance adjacent the periphery of said rotor, means to introduce liquid-under pressure to said passages, whereby to seal all running clearances-between said rotor and stator against leakage, and means to intro-*- duce additional liquid under pressure to supplement the sealing action, to make uplosses in pumping liquid and to lower the operating temperatures of the pump. 1

10. In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in its pumping action, the combination with av stator having'an eccentric pumping chamber and a rotor operable within the statorhaving peripheral displacement chambers coopera tive with the stator and the pumpingv liquid',of means to seal running clearances between the periphery of the rotor and the walls of the veccentric chamber, comprising conduits withinv the stator extending to said running clearances, and means to recirculate a portion of the pumping liquid from a point of maximum pressure within the pumping chamber through said conduits and rotor. 1

1l.v In a hydro-'turbine pump oi the'type using liquidl in its pumping action, the combination with a stator having an eccentric pumping chamber and a rotor operable within the stator' having peripheral displacement chambers cooperative with the stator and the pumping liquid, 'of means to seal running clearances between the periphery vof the rotor andthe walls of the eccentric chamber, comprising Vconduits within the stator ex- 4 tending to Isaid running clearances, and-means to recirculate a 'portionlot the pumping liquid from 'a point ofm'axim'um pressure within the pumping chamber through said conduits and back to the interior of the chamber, in opposition to pressures developed at the' periphery of the rotor, andv I valve'means to control volume and direction of liiow throughl said conduits.

l2, VIn a hydro-turbinel pump oi' the type using liquid in' its pumping action, a `stator provided withk passages for the reception of sealing liquid, a taperedhub within the stator, a rotor cooper 'ative with f'said hub, means establishing com municatiorlA between said passagesand running.. -clearances between said rotor and hub, and between'said passages and running clearance ad- `jacentthe periphery oi' said rotor, means to introduce liquid under pressure at leas'tas Vgreat 'i90 as'the discharge pressure of the pump, to said passages, to seal running clearances between said rotor and stator against leakage; and means to introduce additional liquid to the-inlet side of the pump under pressures approximating the inlety 35 pressure within the stator, to make up losses in lpumping liquid and to lower the operating temperatures of the pump.

13. The methodorsealing a rotary liquid ring -pump against leakage between inlet and loutlet regions, at points approximating maximum pump' pressures supplying losses in operating medium .and maintaining low operating "temperatures,

whichv comprises recirculating. a ,portion 4of lthe operating medium under pressures at least asii great as the maximum discharge pressure of the pump to said points, and'introducing additional iiuid to the inlet region of the pump at pressures approximating inlet pressures.

14. Thel method of sealing a rotaryuqmd ring pump against leakage at points between'the inlet and outlet regions, supplying losses yin oper- -ating medium and maintaining low operating temperatures,}'which comprises recirculating a portion of'. the operating medium under pressures at least asy great4 as the maximum ldischarge -pressure of the pump to said points, and introducing additional fluid tothe inlet region oi the pump `at pressures approximating inlet presi-v sures, and recirculating said additional fluid as part of the operating.v medium.

' at points about the periphery thereof, `and means tointroduce liquid under pressure to said passages, wherebyto seal said running clearances lbetween the rotprand stator against leakage.

16.v In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in its pumpingaction, a stator provided with passages for the reception of sealing liquid,

e let regions of thefpump, y

pumping liquid .within its operating channel and into said conduits for now to all of said a hub within the stator, a rotor cooperative with said hubumeans ,establishing communication between said passages and running'clearances between said rotor and hub, and between said passages and running clearances at the sides of the rotor adjacent its periphery and at points about the periphery thereof, and means to-introduce liquid under pressure to said passages, whereby to seal said running clearances between the rotor and stator against leakage. y

17. In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in .its pumping action, the combination with a stator having an inlet passage and an outlet passage, anda rotor operable within the stator having. displacement chambers j cooperative with the stator and the'pumping liquid to create a pressure dierential between the inlet and outlet regions of thepump, of means to seal' the inlet region from the outlet region at points about and'adjacent said displacement chambers, comprisingconduits within the stator extending to points ofclearance adjacent said chambers, andmeans to introduce a sealing liquid ,into` said conduits for f low to said clearance points.

18.,In,a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in its .pumping action, the combination with a stator having an inlet passage and an-outlet passage, and a rotor operable within the stator having displacement chambers cooperative with the'stator and the pumping liquid to create a pressure diierential between the inlet and out let regions of the pump, of means to seal the inlet region from the outlet region at points about and adjacent said displacement chambers, comprising conduits within the stator extending to points of clearance between the rotor and stator adjacent said chambers, and means to introduce a sealing liquidinto said conduits under pressure at least as great as said pressure differential, for' ilow to said clearance points.

19. In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in its pumping action, the combination with a stator having an inlet passage and an outlet passage, and a rotor operable within the stator having displacement chambers cooperative with the stator' and thepumping liquid to create a pressure diilerentialbetween vthe inlet and out.-

of means to confine the to direct sealingliquid to points of leakage between the inlet and outlet regions about and adjacent said displacement chambers, comprising conduits within the stator extending to points of clearance between the rotorl and stator adjacent said chambers, and to points of inlet to the inlet region, and means to introduce a sealing liquid 20.v In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid inits pumping action, the combinationY with an eccentric casing, and a rotr therein having blades forming displacement chambers cooperative with the pumping liquid to create a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet sides of the pump, of means to seal the inlet side of the pump from the outlet side thereof, comprising means to direct a sealing liquid to clearances between the rotor and the casing, at pointsl across the surfaces of the blades whereby to minimize leakage between the inlet and outlet sides of the pump.

21. In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in its pumping action, the combination with an eccentric casing, a rigid hub extending' between the rotor .and stator points. l

pump, of means to seal the inlet'side of the pumpl from the outlet side thereof comprising means to direct a sealing liquid to clearances between the rotor and the hub, and to clearancesadjacent Athe periphery of the rotor whereby to minimize leakage between the inlet and outlet sides ofthe pump. 1 Y

22.v In a hydro-turbine pump o! the type using liquid in its pumping action,-` the combination with a lobe casing' and a rotorain said casing having peripheral displacement chambers cooperative with the pumping liquid, of means, operative in opposition to the normal pressure differential of the pump, to seal clearances adjacent the periphery, sides and hub ot the rotor, thereby to .control leakage between the intake and discharge sides of the pump. l

y 23. In a hydro-turbine pump, the combination with a casing having a ported hub, inlet and discharge passages extending through said hub, a rotor journalled on said hub and having blades forming displacement chambers cooperative with the ported hub, of means for directing a sealing 24. In a hydro-turbine pump, the combina-4 tion with a casing having a hub yextending inwardly thereof, inlet and discharge passages extending through saidhub, a rotor journalled on said hub and having displacement chambers, said chambers and hub being formed with cooperating ports for inlet to and discharge from the pump, of means for directing a sealing uid to the space between the sides and periphery of the rotor and the casing, including a uid receiving passage extending through' the hub, and means effective tov establish communication between said passage and space.

25. In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in its pumping action, the combination with an eccentric casing, and a rotor therein having blades forming displacement chambers cooperative with the pump liquid to create a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet sides of the pump, of means to seal .the inlet side of the pump from the outlet side thereofcom prising means to direct a sealing liquid to clearances between the rotor and the casing at points adjacent the periphery of the rotor and'at points adjacent the hub of the rotor, vin opposition to said pressure diierential, whereby to minimize pump.

26. In a hydro-turbine pump of the type using liquid in its pumping action, the combination with an eccentric casing, and a rotor therein having a supporting hub, and blades forming displacement chambers cooperative with the pump liquid to create a pressure differential between the inlet and outlet sides of the pump, of means to seal the inletside of the pump from the outlet side thereof, comprising means to directa seal ing liquid to clearances between the rotor and the casing at points adjacent'the periphery of the rotor, and at points across the surfaces of the blades, whereby to minimize leakage between the inlet and outlet sides of the pump.

HAROLD E. ADAMS. 

